Comments on: Interview: Jess C. Scotthttp://theinternetcrashed.com/2010/10/interview-jess-c-scott/
It's a cyberpunk future!Tue, 10 Dec 2013 02:17:03 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1By: End_Userhttp://theinternetcrashed.com/2010/10/interview-jess-c-scott/#comment-346
End_UserWed, 03 Nov 2010 18:52:34 +0000http://theinternetcrashed.com/?p=263#comment-346I guess, or at least, I understand it in an RPG setting like that. Though even then, 2020 would be my prefered system for cyberpunk gaming. I like the concept of future shock using symbolism through the dragon, etc, but again that strikes me too much as magical realism and not necessarily cyberpunk. I adore cyberpunk, but when you do mix in the fantasy it seems very much like the work of Carter or Rushdie, which in turn reduces the impact of the technology because it itself seems fantastical.
I don't know, it's definitely something I struggle with, though I do tend to be a little purist about these things.I guess, or at least, I understand it in an RPG setting like that. Though even then, 2020 would be my prefered system for cyberpunk gaming. I like the concept of future shock using symbolism through the dragon, etc, but again that strikes me too much as magical realism and not necessarily cyberpunk. I adore cyberpunk, but when you do mix in the fantasy it seems very much like the work of Carter or Rushdie, which in turn reduces the impact of the technology because it itself seems fantastical.
I don’t know, it’s definitely something I struggle with, though I do tend to be a little purist about these things.
]]>By: Psychochildhttp://theinternetcrashed.com/2010/10/interview-jess-c-scott/#comment-344
PsychochildWed, 03 Nov 2010 02:31:10 +0000http://theinternetcrashed.com/?p=263#comment-344I expect this is mostly people wanting to combine some of their interests even if ideologically they don't mesh. I've not yet read Jess' work, but let me pull examples from another setting I'm familiar with: <i>Shadowrun</i>.
I really enjoyed the paper RPG system <i>Shadowrun</i> which combined elves and orcs with cyberpunk; in that system, the "goblinzation" of humans showed how the face of old problems like racism were changing into something else. The rise of super-powerful immortal craetures like some elves and dragons also helped reinforce the extreme power concentrated into a few hands in the form of corporations. It's one thing if the megacorp is a faceless organization, it's another if its run by a ruthless several thousand year old Dragon who usually ends up eating or incinerating people during a "hostile takeover" of another company.
It also provided a metaphor for "future shock". Having to navigate dealing with dwarves or elves in a futuristic setting was a bit of a shock, even for experienced players. This meant that the technology didn't have to be quite so out there, and in fact by the time I got into <i>Shadowrun</i> the concept of a networked system was hardly alien to me having worked on computer networks and starting to grasp the implications of the Internet.
It probably also made the setting a bit more appealing to the D&D crowd that usually played RPGs, but that was likely short-lived when someone got in.
My thoughts.I expect this is mostly people wanting to combine some of their interests even if ideologically they don’t mesh. I’ve not yet read Jess’ work, but let me pull examples from another setting I’m familiar with: Shadowrun.

I really enjoyed the paper RPG system Shadowrun which combined elves and orcs with cyberpunk; in that system, the “goblinzation” of humans showed how the face of old problems like racism were changing into something else. The rise of super-powerful immortal craetures like some elves and dragons also helped reinforce the extreme power concentrated into a few hands in the form of corporations. It’s one thing if the megacorp is a faceless organization, it’s another if its run by a ruthless several thousand year old Dragon who usually ends up eating or incinerating people during a “hostile takeover” of another company.

It also provided a metaphor for “future shock”. Having to navigate dealing with dwarves or elves in a futuristic setting was a bit of a shock, even for experienced players. This meant that the technology didn’t have to be quite so out there, and in fact by the time I got into Shadowrun the concept of a networked system was hardly alien to me having worked on computer networks and starting to grasp the implications of the Internet.

It probably also made the setting a bit more appealing to the D&D crowd that usually played RPGs, but that was likely short-lived when someone got in.

My thoughts.

]]>By: End_Userhttp://theinternetcrashed.com/2010/10/interview-jess-c-scott/#comment-341
End_UserSat, 30 Oct 2010 11:29:38 +0000http://theinternetcrashed.com/?p=263#comment-341I've never personally understood the fusion of high fantasy and science fiction. In fact, I have always regarded fantasy a bit of escapist nonsense for the most part. If science fiction = punk; rebellious and socially critical, then fantasy = heavy metal; silly falsettos, big swords and general silliness. So the fusion of the two has always thrown me a bit. I'll probably have a read of the work, but I do have to question the validity of the elves existence at all - it seems superfluous and gimmicky from the outside. Perhaps it makes more sense in the actual novel. Good interview though, very good line of questioning.I’ve never personally understood the fusion of high fantasy and science fiction. In fact, I have always regarded fantasy a bit of escapist nonsense for the most part. If science fiction = punk; rebellious and socially critical, then fantasy = heavy metal; silly falsettos, big swords and general silliness. So the fusion of the two has always thrown me a bit. I’ll probably have a read of the work, but I do have to question the validity of the elves existence at all – it seems superfluous and gimmicky from the outside. Perhaps it makes more sense in the actual novel. Good interview though, very good line of questioning.
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